Research

19 pages, 2613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Energy Productivity and Industrial Structural Change on Energy Intensity in China: Analysis Based on Provincial Panel Data

by Chenyu Dai and Fengliang Liu

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13440; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813440 - 07 Sep 2023

Viewed by 622

Abstract

Since 2000, China’s energy intensity has shown a fluctuating downward trend. Most existing studies have attributed the decline to technological progress, and only a few studies have recognized the role of industrial structure change. In this paper, a multi-region and multi-sector CGE (computable [...] Read more.

Since 2000, China’s energy intensity has shown a fluctuating downward trend. Most existing studies have attributed the decline to technological progress, and only a few studies have recognized the role of industrial structure change. In this paper, a multi-region and multi-sector CGE (computable general equilibrium) model and a numerical simulation method are used to study how technological progress and structural transformation affected the energy intensity of 30 provincial-level regions in China from 2000 to 2019. The results show the following points. (1) The contribution of technological progress to the decline in energy intensity was the highest in the central region, followed by the western region, and was the lowest in the eastern region. (2) The progress of energy technology in the agriculture and industry sectors promoted the transition of energy consumption to the service sector, thereby reducing the overall energy intensity. This effect was the strongest in the eastern region, followed by the central region, and was the weakest in the western region. (3) The progress of energy technology in the service industry promoted the transition of energy consumption to industry and agriculture, thereby enhancing the energy intensity, and this effect was the strongest in the eastern region, followed by the western region, and the weakest in the central region. The conclusion of this paper provides a theoretical basis for realizing regional carbon peaking in sequence in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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21 pages, 1508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Environmental Regulation on Energy-Intensive Enterprises’ Green Innovation Performance

by Liang Li, Yanghong Wang, Meixuen Tan, Huaping Sun and Bangzhu Zhu

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10108; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310108 - 26 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1610

Abstract

Promoting energy-intensive enterprises’ green innovation is essential for transitioning to a low-carbon economy. This study explores the promoting factors and influencing mechanisms that drive energy-intensive enterprises’ green innovation performance from the perspective of environmental regulation and the theory of planned behavior. A questionnaire [...] Read more.

Promoting energy-intensive enterprises’ green innovation is essential for transitioning to a low-carbon economy. This study explores the promoting factors and influencing mechanisms that drive energy-intensive enterprises’ green innovation performance from the perspective of environmental regulation and the theory of planned behavior. A questionnaire was distributed to energy-intensive enterprises in China from February 2021 to March 2022, and various statistical analyses such as confirmatory factor analysis, reliability and validity analysis, structural equation modeling, and stepwise regression model analysis were conducted. The findings reveal that environmental regulation has a positive impact on energy-intensive enterprises’ environmental innovation prospective, stakeholder pressure, and innovation capability, respectively. In turn, this has a significant impact on enterprises’ green innovation performance. This study also found stakeholder pressure and green innovation capability to play an important role between environmental regulation and green innovation performance. It is better to promote enterprises’ green innovation prospective and innovation ability through environmental regulation to promote stakeholder pressure, in turn, that improve enterprises’ innovation performance. It is important to leverage these influencing factors to promote green innovation performance to achieve a carbon turning point. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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22 pages, 1540 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evolutionary Game Study of Waste Separation Policy in the Context of the “Double Carbon” Target

by Yanyan Jiang, Lichi Zhang and Junmin Wu

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8320; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108320 - 19 May 2023

Viewed by 1075

Abstract

Research on waste separation promotion policies is of great theoretical and practical significance for the universal implementation of the domestic waste separation system. This paper constructs a non-cooperative tripartite evolutionary game model that includes central command, local deployment, and enterprise performance. An evolutionary [...] Read more.

Research on waste separation promotion policies is of great theoretical and practical significance for the universal implementation of the domestic waste separation system. This paper constructs a non-cooperative tripartite evolutionary game model that includes central command, local deployment, and enterprise performance. An evolutionary game approach was used to analyze the strategic choices of the central government, local government, and separation enterprises in waste separation promotion, and this study investigated the factors influencing the evolution of these choices using numerical simulations. The findings indicated the following: central government, local governments, and separation enterprises are affected differently by their respective willingness to participate; the behavior of separation enterprises is less influenced by the central government’s and local governments’ willingness to participate and is primarily influenced by market factors, whereas local government is more influenced by the central government’s willingness to participate; and local government and classification enterprises are affected differently by their respective willingness to participate. While separation firms are more susceptible to the cost-sharing, income, and revenue distribution coefficient, local governments are more responsive to policy support. The promotion of waste separation in China requires strengthened centralized waste management to avoid the failure of local waste separation, broadening of the scope of central funding incentives and establishing local separation compensation mechanisms, clarifying local waste separation performance responsibilities and new waste tax collection standards, supporting separation enterprises’ technological innovation and guiding public participation in waste separation, creating an environment for waste separation, and deepening the study of waste separation accordingly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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20 pages, 1615 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Environmental Regulation Have an Employment Dividend? Evidence from China

by Chao Wu and Yu Hua

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6307; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076307 - 06 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1392

Abstract

Environmental regulations not only benefit environmental improvement but may also have a potential employment dividend, which is important for sustainable economic development. Based on the provincial panel data of China from 1997 to 2019, the spatial Dubin model is used to analyze the [...] Read more.

Environmental regulations not only benefit environmental improvement but may also have a potential employment dividend, which is important for sustainable economic development. Based on the provincial panel data of China from 1997 to 2019, the spatial Dubin model is used to analyze the spatial spillover effects of environmental regulation on employment. From the findings, there is a significant spatial agglomeration characteristic in the employment scale. The environmental regulation positively influences the local employment scale, while there is a negative spatial effect on employment in neighboring regions. With regards to the regional heterogeneity analysis, environmental regulation has a spatial negative correlation with employment in coastal areas and less polluted areas. Additionally, in inland areas and less polluted areas, environmental regulation has a significant positive impact on the employment scale. Meanwhile, market-based environmental regulation has the potential to expand the employment scale in local and neighboring areas, while command-and-control environmental regulation impacts negatively on employment in neighboring areas. This study found that environmental regulation has an employment dividend. These findings reveal the spatial dependence between environmental regulation and employment, which will help policy makers consider the environmental and employment effects of environmental regulation more comprehensively. Therefore, the government should formulate targeted policies under regional differences to promote high-quality employment and construct a multiple governance environmental regulatory system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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16 pages, 819 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Digital Transformation in High-Quality Development of the Services Trade

by Lei Zhou, Qing Xia, Huaping Sun, Ling Zhang and Xu Jin

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4014; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054014 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2861

Abstract

China’s economy began as one of high-speed development and has since advanced into a period of high-quality enhancement as driven by the services trade. Data elements are important for promoting services trade. In this paper, we present a literature review of the digital [...] Read more.

China’s economy began as one of high-speed development and has since advanced into a period of high-quality enhancement as driven by the services trade. Data elements are important for promoting services trade. In this paper, we present a literature review of the digital services trade and its development, as well as the main mechanisms of the data factors influencing the services trade. Second, by adopting methods for the combination of qualitative research with quantitative research, we summarize the main advantages of China’s high-quality services trade and identify the key data elements involved. We find data elements play a key role in China’s services trade development. Third, we analyze the main path of data affecting services trade development at the micro level. We then examine the specific case of the Meorient digital innovation service through a case analysis method. From this analysis, we conclude that digital internal and external dual wheels drive enterprise development and that the digital platform unlocks a new business model for the exhibition of science and technology investment to build a digital ecological symbiotic group. These findings provide a reference for the digital transformation of other service trade enterprises. Finally, we propose a means by which to strengthen digital infrastructure by consolidating the industrial foundation of the services trade and by improving the tradability of service products, domestic digital supervision, and the governance system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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15 pages, 549 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Environmental Regulation on the International Competitiveness of the High-Tech Industry: Evidence from China

by Wenjuan Tu and Rui Shi

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010677 - 30 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1605

Abstract

Environmental regulation has become a significant way to achieve sustainable development. Taking the panel data of China’s high-tech industries from 2007–2016 in 30 provinces and cities as a sample, regression models are established to study the impact of three different types of environmental [...] Read more.

Environmental regulation has become a significant way to achieve sustainable development. Taking the panel data of China’s high-tech industries from 2007–2016 in 30 provinces and cities as a sample, regression models are established to study the impact of three different types of environmental regulations on international competitiveness and the moderating effect of R&D (research & development) investment. The results show that the impact of environmental regulations on the international competitiveness of high-tech industries is related to the type of environmental regulation. There is a significant negative correlation between economic environmental regulation (EER) and the international competitiveness of high-tech industries, and R&D investment has a significant inhibitory effect on the relationship between the two. For both commanding environmental regulation (CER) and participatory environmental regulation (PER), R&D investment plays a significant moderating role in environmental regulation and the international competitiveness of high-tech industries. The impact of all three environmental regulations on R&D investment was positive but not significant. Finally, based on these research conclusions, a few countermeasures and suggestions are discussed for the formulation of China’s environmental regulation policies and the development of high-tech industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

15 pages, 1281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial-Temporal Evolution of Coupling Coordination between Green Transformation and the Quality of Economic Development

by Yi Zhang, Yao Xu, Hao Kong and Gang Zhou

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 16267; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316267 - 06 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1434

Abstract

Taking “blue granary” as the research object, this study focuses on the mechanism and evolution of coupling coordination relationship between green transformation and the quality of economic development, to explore the path of sustainable development. Firstly, the theoretical framework of coupling relationship between [...] Read more.

Taking “blue granary” as the research object, this study focuses on the mechanism and evolution of coupling coordination relationship between green transformation and the quality of economic development, to explore the path of sustainable development. Firstly, the theoretical framework of coupling relationship between green transformation and the quality of development is constructed. Secondly, an evaluation index system is established to measure green transformation and the quality of economic development. Thirdly, the entropy approach and coupled coordination degree model are used to calculate the coordination of green transformation and the quality of economic development in different provinces in China from 2009 to 2018. The results show that: (1) Green transformation affects the quality of economic development through resource effect, social effect, and technological effect; the quality of economic development affects green transformation through new growth momentum effect, income distribution effect, scale effect, and opening up effect. (2) Both the quality of economic development and the level of green transformation continue to improve, but the growth rate of green transformation is relatively slow. (3) The overall coupled coordination relationship improves from a barely balanced stage to a favorably balanced stage, but it has not reached the ideal state of superiorly balanced, and there is significant regional heterogeneity. It will help to clarify the difference in coordinated development levels in different regions and provide a reference value for the precise implementation of eco-economic coordinated development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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20 pages, 331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fiscal Decentralization, Government Environmental Preference and Industrial Green Transformation

by Erhong Wang, Qun Cao, Yongqiang Ding and Huaping Sun

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14108; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114108 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1689

Abstract

Based on the theory of fiscal decentralization and sustainable development, and the mechanism analysis about fiscal decentralization and government environmental preference to promote industrial green transformation, using China’s provincial panel data from 2006 to 2019, this paper empirically tests the effect of fiscal [...] Read more.

Based on the theory of fiscal decentralization and sustainable development, and the mechanism analysis about fiscal decentralization and government environmental preference to promote industrial green transformation, using China’s provincial panel data from 2006 to 2019, this paper empirically tests the effect of fiscal decentralization and government environmental preference on industrial green transformation by stepwise regression, threshold effect analysis, and the panel simultaneous equation. Results show that fiscal decentralization promotes industrial green transformation, but it also has a certain inhibitory effect on the government’s environmental preference, which results in an insufficient government role in the process of industrial green transformation. In the long run, the influence of fiscal decentralization and government environmental preference has a threshold effect; also, regional heterogeneity exists, as with regional economic level improvement, the influence became stronger. According to the regional survey, fiscal decentralization has a positive effect on industrial green transformation in the eastern region, while it has no significant effect in the central region and a negative effect in the western region. Therefore, countermeasures are put forward, from aspects such as fiscal decentralization and environmental power structure reform, to optimizing the performance evaluation mechanism for improving the government’s environmental preference, so as to have a positive effect on the green transformation of industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

26 pages, 1047 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Reduction, Pollution Intensity, and Firms’ Ratios of Value Added in Exports: Evidence from China’s Low-Carbon Pilot Policy

by Yajun Zhu and Churen Sun

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12687; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912687 - 05 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1792

Abstract

Global warming is highlighting the importance of carbon emission reduction, while firms in developing countries are facing the dual challenges of carbon reduction and exporting real gains improvement. Using the Chinese Customs Transaction-level Trade Statistics Dataset and the Chinese Annual Survey of Industrial [...] Read more.

Global warming is highlighting the importance of carbon emission reduction, while firms in developing countries are facing the dual challenges of carbon reduction and exporting real gains improvement. Using the Chinese Customs Transaction-level Trade Statistics Dataset and the Chinese Annual Survey of Industrial Firms Dataset from 2008 to 2014, we identified the impact of China’s Low-carbon Pilot Policy (LCPP) on firms’ ratios of the domestic value added in exports for the first time by adopting a difference-in-difference method. Our findings show that China’s LCPP continuously improves firms’ ratios of value added in exports, providing empirical evidence for the topic of whether carbon reduction regulations affect firms’ export real gains. The heterogeneity analysis shows that the improvement impact of LCPP on dirty firms is weaker than that on clean firms. The mechanism test also shows that firms’ production efficiency plays the role of partial intermediary in the relationship between LCPP and firms’ ratios of domestic value added in exports. Our research extends the micro effect of LCPP to the field of exporting real gains, and enriches the research on influencing factors of firms’ ratios of the domestic value added in exports. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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14 pages, 263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Environmental Regulation Affects Green Investment of Heavily Polluting Enterprises: Evidence from Steel and Chemical Industries in China

by Mo Du, Shanglei Chai, Shu Li and Zejing Sun

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11971; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911971 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2152

Abstract

Environmental protection is the top priority in the development process of all countries in the world, which directly affects public health. In response to growing environmental challenges, the government is implementing increasingly stringent industry supervision and environmental regulations. However, the impact of environmental [...] Read more.

Environmental protection is the top priority in the development process of all countries in the world, which directly affects public health. In response to growing environmental challenges, the government is implementing increasingly stringent industry supervision and environmental regulations. However, the impact of environmental regulation on investment has not formed a unified conclusion, and few studies have discussed this effect at the micro-enterprise level. This paper uses multiple regression analyses to investigate the effect of environmental regulation on green investments of heavily polluting enterprises in China. Using the data of listed companies in the steel and chemical industries of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange, we find that the increasing intensity of government environmental regulation will inhibit green investments of heavily polluting enterprises. This paper further classifies the property rights of these enterprises and discusses the role of regional environmental quality. From the perspective of property rights, increased government environmental supervision will inhibit green investments of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and promote green investments of non-state-owned enterprises (NSOEs). From the perspective of the environmental quality of the region where the company is located, government environmental regulation will inhibit green investments of heavily polluting companies, regardless of the regional environmental quality. This paper not only provides new empirical evidence about the steel and chemical industries for Porter’s hypothesis, but also compensates for the lack of research on the impact of environmental regulation on corporate green investment at the micro-level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

17 pages, 1850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Virtual Carbon Flow in China’s Capital Economic Circle: A Multi-Regional Input–Output Approach

by Chong Yin, Yue Liu and Yingxin Cui

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11782; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811782 - 19 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1465

Abstract

The Capital Economic Circle (CEC) is the area with the largest economic aggregate in northern China and has a strong status in driving the economic development of China. However, the industrial structure dominated by high energy consuming industries leads to a large number [...] Read more.

The Capital Economic Circle (CEC) is the area with the largest economic aggregate in northern China and has a strong status in driving the economic development of China. However, the industrial structure dominated by high energy consuming industries leads to a large number of carbon dioxide emissions, and the imbalance between economic development and carbon emissions in CEC is serious; therefore, it is necessary to explore how to solve the carbon imbalance problem of the CEC by relying on interregional cooperation. Based on China’s multi-regional input–output tables of 2012, 2015 and 2017, this paper proposes the CEC carbon-extended, multi-regional input–output model to measure virtual carbon flow and analyze how the industrial structure leads to the imbalance of carbon flow distribution in CEC. Indicators such as direct carbon emission coefficients, complete carbon emission coefficients and carbon emissions pull coefficients of the industrial sectors in CEC are calculated and the physical carbon emission and virtual carbon flows among the industrial sectors and the regions are evaluated. The results show that there are potential constraints from the uncoordinated configuration of industrial innovation chains among the CEC, and the “carbon imbalance” of CEC is mainly reflected in the backward production technology of Hebei and its inefficient connection with the industrial innovation chain of Beijing and Tianjin. It is suggested that policymakers should promote the low-carbon production system and strengthen green energy development and utilization to enhance green development in CEC. In future research, we should pay attention to the updating method of the input–output table and the development of carbon circular networks. This study has implications for some areas of China and developing countries in Asia, which also have an imbalance between industrial economy development and carbon emissions, and a similarity in space structure and industry layout with CEC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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28 pages, 1494 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Renewable Energy Technology Innovation on Industrial Green Transformation and Upgrading: Beggar Thy Neighbor or Benefiting Thy Neighbor

by Chanyuan Liu, Long Xin, Jinye Li and Huaping Sun

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11198; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811198 - 07 Sep 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2100

Abstract

Renewable energy technology innovation (RETI) is a crucial way to improve energy poverty and combat climate change. However, few studies have examined the impact of RETI on industrial green transformation and upgrading (IGTU) from the perspective of spatial spillover and its regional boundary. [...] Read more.

Renewable energy technology innovation (RETI) is a crucial way to improve energy poverty and combat climate change. However, few studies have examined the impact of RETI on industrial green transformation and upgrading (IGTU) from the perspective of spatial spillover and its regional boundary. Based on the theory of green growth and sustainable development, this paper expands the connotation boundary of IGTU and measures the IGTU levels of 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2020 using an improved entropy weight method. Kernel density estimation and Moran’s I index are adopted to portray temporal and spatial patterns, the spatial Durbin model is employed to examine the influencing mechanism and spatial spillover effects of RETI on IGTU and its regional boundaries, and the differential impact of its spatial effects on time, region, resource endowment, and environmental regulation are explored further. The results show that (1) RETI and IGTU in China are steadily increasing, indicating a decreasing spatial differentiation pattern of “east–west”; (2) RETI significantly promotes local IGTU but inhibits neighboring IGTU, forming a “beggar-thy-neighbor” situation; (3) the spatial spillover effect of RETI on IGTU has significant regional boundaries—the spatial spillover effect significantly negative and persists up to 800 km, but it is significantly positive from 800 to 1400 km and shows a trend of increasing and then decreasing; and (4) the promoting effect of RETI on IGTU gradually increases over time, presenting spatial differences of promotion in the east and inhibition in the west. Furthermore, RETI has a more substantial promoting effect on IGTU in non-resource-based regions and strong environmental regulation regions. The findings for China provide concrete evidence for formulating targeted policies and seeking a path for IGTU for other developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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17 pages, 2212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Strategy of Industrial Structure Optimization Driven by Green Credit Distribution

by Guoping Ding, Jingqian Hua, Juntao Duan, Sixia Deng, Wenyu Zhang, Yifan Gong and Huaping Sun

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9360; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159360 - 30 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1592

Abstract

Credit is an important means to promote economic development, while green credit is conducive to the sustainable development of industry. This paper aims to build a multiple linear regression model and a dynamic panel data GMM estimation model to analyze the important factors [...] Read more.

Credit is an important means to promote economic development, while green credit is conducive to the sustainable development of industry. This paper aims to build a multiple linear regression model and a dynamic panel data GMM estimation model to analyze the important factors that affect the optimization of the industrial structure. We then use an analytic hierarchy process to explore the relationship between green credit and industrial optimization. We compare this with the optimization rate of the industrial structure according to the real data, and then obtain the effectiveness of the hierarchical analysis of the three major industries in the eastern, central and western regions. Finally, neural networks are used to forecast the total amount and distribution of green credit in 2021. The final results show that there are regional and industrial differences in the influence of green credit on industrial structure optimization, and in the process of using green credit to promote the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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15 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Transformation and Rule of Law Based on Peak CO₂ Emissions and Carbon Neutrality

by Jiwen Yang, Chaoran Zheng and Hua Liu

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7487; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127487 - 20 Jun 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2754

Abstract

The promotion and implementation of carbon neutrality against peaking carbon dioxide emissions urgently need the support of science and technology and the backing provided by a guarantee of rule of law. The proposition, logic, and progression of digital responses to peaking carbon dioxide [...] Read more.

The promotion and implementation of carbon neutrality against peaking carbon dioxide emissions urgently need the support of science and technology and the backing provided by a guarantee of rule of law. The proposition, logic, and progression of digital responses to peaking carbon dioxide levels in the search for carbon neutrality are clearly reflected in the current era, employing big data to address the problems of inadequate central–local coordination and interaction, the inadequate application of the rule of law, campaign-style “carbon reduction” promotion, and scientific and technological support in the promotion and implementation of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. We need to pay attention to the coordination of digital technology, the rule of law response, and the protection of people’s rights. First, in the process of digital carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality, it is necessary to improve the credibility of carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality through the “whole-process trace” and storage mechanism techniques that are made possible by blockchain technology. Second, it is necessary to refine the management of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality through “decentralization” and consensus mechanisms. Third, it is necessary to improve the effectiveness of governance in the management of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality through “non-falsifiability” and collaboration mechanisms. Fourth and finally, the conclusions of this paper are offered. First, from the aspect of smart city construction, it is necessary to promote the coordinated construction of a low-carbon city and smart city and explore the legal ramifications of low-carbon development in urban governance. Second, in corporate governance, we need to build a low-carbon-development digital platform to promote the integration of digital technology and corporate compliance. Third, in terms of global governance, we need to promote the rule of law in cyberspace to address global climate change, the low-carbon development of digital technology, and the low-carbon construction of a cyber society. Fourth, we need to emphasize the rights and obligations of different parties in the implementation mechanism of the rule of law on digital carbon peaks and carbon neutrality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

20 pages, 28747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Green Innovation’s Promoting Impact on the Fusion of Industry and Talent: The Case of Pharmaceutical Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China

by Qi Hu, Fang Wu, Yingna Qu, Ke Guo and Xinyi Du

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7335; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127335 - 15 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1928

Abstract

This study aims to explore the promoting impact of green innovation on the fusion of industry and talent (FIT). The primary objectives of the study also include showing how FIT affects the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China and evaluating the development status [...] Read more.

This study aims to explore the promoting impact of green innovation on the fusion of industry and talent (FIT). The primary objectives of the study also include showing how FIT affects the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China and evaluating the development status of three subsystems: the pharmaceutical industry, talent support, and green innovation. In this study, an index system comprising 28 indicators is established to characterize the three subsystems, based on which a comprehensive evaluation model is used to assess the development of each subsystem. A fusion model is used to explore the current status of FIT and the role that green innovation plays in this, based on panel data obtained for 11 provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2010 to 2019. The results suggest that: (1) the three subsystems in the Belt have all maintained growth, though the development score for the pharmaceutical industry fluctuated greatly and has been somewhat unstable, while growth trends for talent support and green innovation have been stable; (2) the extent of FIT is low, with nearly half of the provinces and cities lacking organization, with a typical spatial pattern of higher levels in the downstream region and lower levels in the upstream region. The downstream region has obvious advantages in the degree of FIT, while the upstream region has a more optimistic growth trend; and (3) green innovation stimulated the development of FIT in the Belt, with a “strong and stronger” trend depending on the foundation of FIT. To promote FIT, the government should (1) focus on enhancing the development and efficiency of green innovation to help promote FIT; (2) promote the stable and sustainable growth of the pharmaceutical industry as well as talent’s support to consolidate the foundation of fusion; and (3) implement regional coordinated development and interaction policies to narrow the regional gap. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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21 pages, 571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low-Carbon Transition and Green Innovation: Evidence from Pilot Cities in China

by Taohong Wang, Zhe Song, Jing Zhou, Huaping Sun and Fengqin Liu

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7264; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127264 - 14 Jun 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2784

Abstract

Officially launched in 2008, China’s low-carbon city pilot project is aimed at creating green and low-carbon cities by restricting individual consumption and enterprise production behaviors as a means of controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Among other indicators, the impact of the pilot low-carbon initiative [...] Read more.

Officially launched in 2008, China’s low-carbon city pilot project is aimed at creating green and low-carbon cities by restricting individual consumption and enterprise production behaviors as a means of controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Among other indicators, the impact of the pilot low-carbon initiative may be evaluated based on whether it induces enterprises to engage in green technology innovation. Using green patent application data from Chinese listed companies between 2009 and 2018, this paper applies a time-varying difference-in-difference (DID) model to conduct a multi-dimensional empirical test on the changes in listed companies’ degrees of green innovation before and after the publication of the list of three batches of pilot cities. Our findings were as follows: first, as a means of environmental regulation, the pilot low-carbon city initiative’s effect on enterprises’ green technology innovation conforms to the Porter hypothesis—that is, it encourages enterprises to improve their production technology and enhances the green innovation levels of listed companies in pilot cities; second, in terms of regional differences, the low-carbon cities pilot initiative can significantly induce green innovation activities among enterprises in China’s eastern region, but not in the central or western regions; third, from the perspective of enterprise ownership, the initiative promotes greater awareness of green innovation among non-state-owned enterprises than among state-owned enterprises. At the enterprise level, this paper provides theoretical support and empirical evidence for the success of the low-carbon city pilot initiative and highlights the implications for nationwide policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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15 pages, 722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interactions and Co-Governance Policies of Stakeholders in the Carbon Emission Reduction

by Yuhao Wang, Jianmin Wang and Zhongbing Dong

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5891; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105891 - 12 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1911

Abstract

Stakeholders need to participate in the carbon abatement activities to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutralization. This paper developed a system of evaluation indices on carbon emission reduction of stakeholders to elucidate the interplaying relationships among stakeholders in carbon emission reduction by using [...] Read more.

Stakeholders need to participate in the carbon abatement activities to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutralization. This paper developed a system of evaluation indices on carbon emission reduction of stakeholders to elucidate the interplaying relationships among stakeholders in carbon emission reduction by using the structural equation model. The analysis showed that (1) the five stakeholders affecting carbon-reduction intensity are ranked in the following descending order: manufacturing enterprises, government, energy supply industry, R&D organizations, and financial institutions, while (2) stakeholders positively affect manufacturing enterprises and government. Notably, manufacturing enterprises exhibit the greater positive influence on carbon-reduction intensity. Finally, (3) the study results indicated how to build the co-governance mechanism by stakeholders to reduce carbon emissions. Overall, this study provided a theoretical support for the stakeholders of carbon emission reduction to clarify their roles, cooperation, and participation in carbon emission reduction, thereby realizing their own interests, while guiding stakeholders toward the carbon emission reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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31 pages, 3957 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bibliometric Analysis of Multi-Level Perspective on Sustainability Transition Research

by Cheng Wang, Tao Lv, Rongjiang Cai, Jianfeng Xu and Liya Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 4145; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074145 - 31 Mar 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3333

Abstract

The multi-level perspective (MLP) is a prominent framework for transition research. However, few studies have used bibliometrics for conducting a global picture of the MLP research. This study identifies the worldwide trends at three levels: sources, authors, and documents, and uses the bibliometrix [...] Read more.

The multi-level perspective (MLP) is a prominent framework for transition research. However, few studies have used bibliometrics for conducting a global picture of the MLP research. This study identifies the worldwide trends at three levels: sources, authors, and documents, and uses the bibliometrix based on 757 articles published in WOS and Scopus from 2002 to 2020. The results show that the MLP research literature is proliferating, and the number of journals and countries concerned in this field is increasing. MLP research has mainly focused on transition, sustainability transition, socio-technical transition, energy transition, innovation, and governance; and will increase focus on agency, power, and policy. MLP research will focus on multi-niche, multi-regime, and multi-landscape interactions at the hierarchy levels. The results assist scholars in systematically understanding the current research status, research frontiers, and future trends of MLP from a macro perspective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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20 pages, 2327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Spatial Correlation Network Structure of Green Innovation Efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta, China

by Keliang Wang, Yajing Bian and Yunhe Cheng

Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 3903; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073903 - 25 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2234

Abstract

Green innovation is crucial to high-quality economic development and has become an important engine for green transformation development in the Yangtze River Delta region. In this study, we used the super epsilon-based measure (super-EBM) to measure the green innovation efficiency of 26 cities [...] Read more.

Green innovation is crucial to high-quality economic development and has become an important engine for green transformation development in the Yangtze River Delta region. In this study, we used the super epsilon-based measure (super-EBM) to measure the green innovation efficiency of 26 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region of China from 2003 to 2018. Secondly, on the basis of a modified gravity model, we determined the spatial correlation of the Yangtze River Delta region’s green innovation efficiency and built a relation matrix. Finally, using the Moran index, centrality analysis, and a block model, we investigated its spatial characteristics and empirically analyzed its influencing factors by applying the quadratic assignment procedure. The results show that (1) in spatial terms, the Yangtze River Delta’s green innovation efficiency is extremely unbalanced, and the spatial network association density is low, only 0.218; (2) in terms of block analysis, the green innovation efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta region’s cities can be divided into four blocks, with distinct blocks holding distinct responsibilities; and (3) in terms of influencing factors, geographic distance; the expansion of the difference in energy consumption and the environment pollution index; and narrowing the gap in economic development, the industrial structure, and green coverage will push forward the formation of spatial correlation at a significance level of 10%. Our findings expand the research on traditional innovation efficiency and provide theoretical guidance for formulating regional green innovation coordinated development policy. It is necessary to strengthen urban green innovation cooperation in the Yangtze River Delta and promote regional integrated development. Different policies should be adopted for cities with different spatial correlation patterns. From the perspective of block analysis, it is necessary to balance the acceptance relationship and spillover relationship between cities. In addition, to improve the spatial correlation of green innovation efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta, the allocation of green innovation resources in the Yangtze River Delta should be optimized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

25 pages, 3672 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Trends of Board Characteristics and Firms’ Environmental Performance: Research Directions and Agenda

by Jingsheng Lei, Sha Lin, M. Riaz Khan, Siman Xie, Muhammad Sadiq, Rashid Ali, Muhammad Farhan Bashir, Luqman Shahzad, Sayed M. Eldin and Ali H. Amin

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14296; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114296 - 01 Nov 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2328

Abstract

The current study investigates the association of board characteristics with firms’ environmental performance to provide further research and policy implications by carrying out systematic bibliometric analysis. The most potent contribution of the current study was to evaluate the performance of authors, geographical regions, [...] Read more.

The current study investigates the association of board characteristics with firms’ environmental performance to provide further research and policy implications by carrying out systematic bibliometric analysis. The most potent contribution of the current study was to evaluate the performance of authors, geographical regions, journals and academic institutions to document their impact on the development of current literature. Moreover, the current study has used analytical statistics to examine how current research themes have evolved, and how impediments in existing literature can be overcome. Our analysis allows us to conclude that there is a lack of research collaboration between researchers and institutions in developing and developed countries. Finally, we summarize that the economic literature focuses more on BOD diversity, and there is less focus on theoretical development; non-listed firms, geographical proximity and mediating variables are research areas that need further academic attention. We conclude the current research investigation by identifying new research avenues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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Other

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20 pages, 315 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

The Influence and Mechanism of Digital Economy on the Development of the Tourism Service Trade—Analysis of the Mediating Effect of Carbon Emissions under the Background of COP26

by Jie Zhang and Yunfeng Shang

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13414; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013414 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2720

Abstract

This study explores the impact and mechanism of the digital economy on the tourism service trade. We adopted two-way fixed effects and mediating effects models, and conducted empirical studies based on panel data of 30 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) in China. The [...] Read more.

This study explores the impact and mechanism of the digital economy on the tourism service trade. We adopted two-way fixed effects and mediating effects models, and conducted empirical studies based on panel data of 30 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) in China. The results show that the digital economy can significantly improve the development of the tourism service trade, and has a certain role in carbon emission reduction. This conclusion remains valid after a series of robustness tests and proves that carbon emission per capita plays an intermediary role in this process. The regional heterogeneity analysis shows that the digital economy plays a more significant role in promoting inland regions and regions with a higher tourism resource endowment. These findings are significant for the relevant industries, ecological activists, other stakeholders and the realization of the «Glasgow Climate Pact». The results provide guidelines for the recovery of the tourism service industry in the post-epidemic era, achieving the “double carbon” goal, realizing low-carbon tourism and the control of carbon emissions by countries related to the COP meeting. The guidelines can help to strengthen the development of digital infrastructure and promote digital technology in the tourism service industry, differentiate promotion measures based on geographical location and tourism resource endowment, fully consider the intermediary role of carbon emissions, and develop corresponding low-carbon technologies and innovative green technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Upgrading and Regional Development in Global Low-Carbon Transformation)

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